SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). It was an animal offering.
(2). It was a unique offering.
(3). It was a structured Offering.
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• A man was watching TV late at night,
• To his amazement he saw a mouse run across the floor right underneath the TV set.
• He ran immediately to get a mousetrap and then to the fridge to get some cheese.
• But there was no cheese.
• So, he did what he thought was the next best thing.
• He got a magazine that had colourful ads in it.
• Found an advert for cheese, cut out the picture of the cheese and put it in the mousetrap.
• He then went to bed.
• When he woke the next morning,
• He immediately checked the mousetrap,
• And to his amazement he found a magazine picture of a mouse in the trap!
• The lesson is clear,
• If you want to catch the real thing, you’ve got to put out the real thing!
• TRANSITION: In many of our studies in Leviticus,
• The chapters on first reading may not seem real or relevant for us today.
• But I hope we will see they still have a lot to teach us.
Note:
• The book of Leviticus starts with five offerings or sacrifices.
• This third offering that we are looking at today, is called by a variety of names,
• The heading in your Bible (which of course is not part of the text),
• May call it,
• ‘The Peace Offering,’ or ‘The Well-Being Offering’ or ‘The Fellowship Offering’.
“Peace offering” is probably the most common term used for it,
• The Hebrew term used for this offering is from the root word for “shalom”,
• And this word means “peace” or “whole.”
• And most people know generally what is meant by the word peace.
• e.g., Peace is the absence of conflict and hostility.
• e.g., Peace is harmony and agreement in personal relations
• e.g., Peace can be a state of unity or tranquillity, we can be, ‘at peace.’
Now having looked at the passage, I think I prefer the term, “Fellowship Offering”
• e.g., Fellowship speaks of companionship.
• e.g., Fellowship speaks of acceptance.
• e.g., Fellowship speaks of being part of a community or a family.
• Now of course peace and fellowship are like overlapping circles (Venn diagrams).
• When a person is at peace with God,
• They can then enjoy fellowship with God.
• They are a bit like Siamese twins, joined together.
Ill:
• A little girl once cried out in the night and woke up her mother.
• The mother told the little girl to crawl into bed with her.
• She asked the girl, “What’s the matter?”
• The girl responded. “It was dark over there,”
• The mother replied, “Yes, but it’s just as dark over here too.”
• The girl replied, “I know, but you’re here.”
• TRANSITION: God wants us to know him and enjoy him,
• Not to be rebels at war with him by our independent lifestyles,
• But rather enjoying fellowship, enjoying his presence and peace.
• That is why he took the intuitive to introduce this way of approaching him.
• Leviticus is a book that shows how sinful people can approach a holy God.
• How sinful people can find forgiveness, peace and fellowship.
Note:
• The book of Leviticus starts with five offerings or sacrifices.
• We have looked at two of them.
• Today we are looking at the third offering mentioned.
• Let me give you a very quick reminder and leave you with a key word for each offering.
#1: The Burnt Offering.
• The Key word: Cover.
• The purpose: to cover the offender’s unholiness & make him acceptable in God’s presence.
• e.g. perfume covering a persons body odour – hides the smell.
• Lesson:
• Lord, I want to spend some time with you, in your presence,
• And I pray that you will find me acceptable.
#2: The Grain Offering
• Key word: Remember.
• The purpose: to remember the covenant made between God and his people Israel.
• e.g. sealed with salt – valuable and remaining/faithful
• Lesson:
• Lord, I remember your promises to us and our promises to you.
• I take our covenant relationship seriously.
#3: The Peace Offering.
Ill:
• I wonder how many men here have at some time or other upset their or offended the wife.
• (Joke hands down ??? I wasn’t asking for a confession).
• If you have and most of us have failed in this way,
• Then wise was the man who visited a florist and the chocolate shop,
• In the hope that these gifts might help smooth things over.
• The bouquet and the chocolates will be a kind of “peace offering” of sorts.
• They are more than words; they required a cost of time and money.
• TRANSITION: I think a similar principle applies in these sacrifices.
• They are more than words and good intentions,
• They required a cost of time and money.
The peace offering:
• Key word: Fellowship.
• The purpose: to eat a covenant meal in fellowship with God.
• e.g. Sharing a meal often denotes friendship between people.
Ill:
• The expression ‘to break bread’ is used in many cultures.
• This expression means more than just eating;
• It is sharing a sense of brotherhood with someone or some group of people.
• It signifies a meaningful connection and a desire for deeper friendship.
• Lesson:
• Lord, I enjoy being in your presence, and I enjoy the peaceful fellowship between us.
• Thank you for being our God and making us your people.
Ill:
My mind went to Romans chapter 5 verse 1 when I read that description.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
• We have, ‘peace with God’ through Jesus Christ – relationship.
• We can now ‘stand’ in grace – fellowship.
• Question: Do you remember the story of the prodigal/lost son (Luke chapter 15)?
• Question: What happened when he returned home?
• Answer: The Father treated him with…
• Dignity: Treats him as a son and not as a hired servant.
• Generosity: Gives to him a fancy robe! A fancy ring! Shoes!
• Joy: He throws a party!
• Fellowship: "This my son was dead and is alive again" and "He was lost and is found."
• TRANSITION: God gives to us dignity, generosity, joy and fellowship,
• When we are in a right relationship, when we are in fellowship with him.
LET’S LOOK AT THE OFFERING:
(1). It was an Animal offering.
• To the modern Western mind,
• The idea of purposely slaughtering animals ,
• And offering them up to a deity may seem barbaric.
• The first book of the Bible teaches,
• That God gave men and women stewardship over all creation.
• We are to respect the planet and the creatures that live on the planet.
But Genesis chapter 3 verse 21 then records the first death in the Bible,
• When God made clothes for Adam and Eve out of animal skin.
• Presumably, this would have been shocking and horrifying to Adam and Eve.
• It was a graphic demonstration of the nature of their sin.
• Because they sinned, they now had to be clothed, or covered.
• That covering was only accomplished by the shedding of blood,
• A comparison for their spiritual death and a foreshadowing of things to come.
• And animal sacrifice was required in the Old Testament to cover a person’s sins.
• A picture/shadow/type of the death of Jesus,
• Who would not cover but take away the sins of those who trust him?
Ill:
• Animal sacrifice = deodorant/perfume it covers up smelly body odour,
• Jesus’ sacrifice = shower it washes away our sin.
The chapter itself divides up into three sections.
• Verses 1-5: the requirements for offering a bullock.
• Verses 6-11: the requirements for offering a lamb.
• Verses 12-17: the requirements for offering a goat.
• Most of the conditions are identical,
• So, I am not going to go through them one by one.
The procedure in verses 1-2 is identical to the burnt offering in chapter one:
• First: The presentation of the animal.
• Second: The laying on of the hands on the animal’s head.
• Third: The killing of the animal.
• Fourth: The sprinkling of the blood by the priests.
• After these four similarities the procedure will differ.
• And we will note this as we scan over the chapter.
(2). It was a unique offering.
• Three reasons make this offering unique and distinct,
• From the other offerings mentioned in these first five chapters.
#1: IT WAS A FREEWILL OFFERING
• This was a freewill offering of thanksgiving to God.
• We know that from chapter 7 verses 11-21.
Ill:
• A pig and a hen were walking down the road,
• They pass by a café and on the window is a sign, “Come in for bacon and eggs”
• The pig turned to the hen and said,
• “It’s okay for you because for you it’s an offering but for me it’s a sacrifice!”
• TRANSITION: This offering was voluntary.
• A way for people to express their thanks to God.
• (This may be the offering that the apostle Paul made in Acts chapter 21 verses 23-26.)
#2: IT WAS A LESS DEMANDING OFFERING
• The demands are more relaxed,
• e.g., both female and male animals were acceptable.
• Something not permitted for other animal sacrifices.
• If the offering was not in fulfilment of a vow,
• The sacrifice could have some defects and still be accepted
• (chapter 22 verse 6).
#3: IT WAS A SHARED OFFERING.
• This offering was to be shared with the worshippers!
• The priest received a large portion of the meat,
• The rest of the meat went to the offer, to take home and enjoy a family meal.
• Hence, the alternative name to ‘peace offering’ which is ‘fellowship offering’
• Time together with family around a meal.
• (This is not mentioned in chapter 3, but chapter 7 mentions it).
• Meat in Bible days was an expensive meal,
• So, think of this as a special occasion, the way we look forward to a Christmas dinner.
Ill:
• Remember that in the East, to eat with people is to make them your friends and allies.
• The Bible is full of examples were sharing a meal together,
• Helps relationships to be established, deepened, and enjoyed.
#4: IT WAS A VARIED OFFERING.
Once again chapter 7 not chapter 3 tells us it was a three-fold offering.
• e.g., It was a Thanksgiving offering (vs 12-13)
• e.g., It was a Vow offering (vs 16)
• e.g., It was a Freewill offering (vs 16)
Now here in chapter 3 think ‘fellowship’ offering – that highlights two truths.
• First It taught the people of Israel that they can have peace or fellowship with God.
• Second: That fellowship and peace is only through a costly blood sacrifice.
• You and I know that this is a shadow/type/picture of Jesus Christ.
• Who would be the costly sacrifice for the sins of the world?
• Quote: “To understand the cross you need two words, ‘substitution and sacrifice’”
Ill:
• Remember the Christmas story of shepherds out in the fields,
• Suddenly host of angelic beings (angels) appeared to them,
• (Luke chapter 2 verses 13-15).
“Praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
• This was not a call to end war on earth,
• But it was an announcement that the ‘Prince of Peace’ has been born.
• And through him reconciliation between a holy God and sinful people can be made.
• The result being we can have peace with God and enjoy fellowship with God.
(3). It was a structured offering.
• Although this offering seems more relaxed and ‘consumer’ friendly,
• It does have clear rules that must be followed.
• It is clear about what part of the sacrifice belongs to God,
• What belongs to the priest and what belongs to the worshipper.
Look at the details:
• Verses 1&6: If the offering was in fulfilment of a vow, it must be perfect.
• Anything less was not worthy of God.
• Verses 2,8&13: The animal’s blood had to be sprinkled on the altar and not eaten.
• Blood always symbolises the life of the animal,
• And this is given up to God, the one who gives life in the first place.
• Verses 4, 10&15: The liver and kidneys are also reserved for God alone.
• The liver is an organ full of blood. A life-giving organ, if damaged the animal died.
• The kidneys are mentioned in the Bible,
• As the organs examined by God to judge an individual.
• In giving the kidneys we are giving our very selves to God.
• Verses 3-4, 9-10&14-15: The fat was a delicacy
• It was seen as the choicest part of the meat.in the ancient world.
• And thought to be the source of the animal’s strength.
Note:
• It is not mentioned in chapter 3 but chapter 7 verse 20 tells us,
• This offering was only to be made after a burnt offering had been sacrificed.
• Maybe this was to prevent a means of cheap familiarity with God.
• The point being made is only those who had their sins atoned for,
• Could benefit from the joy of a fellowship meal with God.
And finally:
• The Peace Offering occupies a central place it is the third out of five offerings,
• The first two offerings satisfy the holiness and justice of God.
• The last two meet the needs of sinful men and women.
• In the Peace Offering a satisfied God,
• And forgiven men and women meet together in a holy fellowship.
• This is, in fact, the meaning of the word “peace” in these chapters.
• It is not the usual lovely Hebrew shalom but is however, a cognate word shelem.
• This word indicates fellowship, friendship, harmony.
Note:
• Remember that the Peace Offering was offered for thanksgiving,
• Or in the making of a vow, or as a voluntary offering.
• In NONE of these circumstances was the offerer bringing his offering to obtain peace.
• He was coming to the altar already in the enjoyment of peace,
• And in fellowship with God.
• Quote: “Don’t get the cart before the horse.”
• This offering is a response to enjoying forgiveness and not trying to obtain it!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=8VeaSpCtBWvuXut4VpJhloCMjlfsVsBR
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/F4sqwKZTPRI
